Method of providing nutrition to adolescents

ABSTRACT

A dietary composition comprising, based on total caloric content of the composition, 
     a) a carbohydrate component which comprises from 50 to 65% of the total caloric content; 
     b) a lipid component which comprises from 20 to 35% of the total caloric content; and 
     c) an amino acid component which comprises from 10 to 20% of the total caloric content and which comprises specified amino acids and amounts thereof is useful providing nutrition to human adolescents.

This is a division of application Ser. No. 08/309,815 filed Sep. 21, 1994.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to dietary compositions, useful for providing nutrition to a human adolescent for stimulating growth which comprise

a) a carbohydrate component which comprises from 50 to 65% of the total caloric content of said composition;

b) a lipid component which comprises from 20 to 35% of the total caloric content of said composition; and

c) an amino acid component which comprises from 10 to 20% of the total caloric content of said composition and which comprises 2.3 to 2.8% L-histidine, 6.1 to 7.4% L-soleucine, 8.5 to 10.2% L-leucine, 7.0 to 8.4% L-valine, 6.6 to 8.0% L-lysine, 3.1 to 3.8% L-methionine, 5.5 to 6.6% L-phenylalanine, 4.8 to 5.8% L-threonine, 1.7 to 2.1% L-tryptophan, 5.7 to 6.9% L-alanine, 6.2 to 7.5% L-arginine, 5.9 to 7.1% L-aspartic acid, 2.3 to 2.8% L-cystine, 12.9 to 15.5% L-glutamine, 3.8 to 4.6% L-glutamic acid, 3.2 to 3.9% glycine, 5.0 to 6.0% L-proline, 5.4 to 6.5% L-serine, and 4.0 to 4.8% L-tyrosine, all based on total weight of said amino acid component.

The compositions are useful for administering nutrition to adolescents particularly those ages 1 to 10 years, for diseases or conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, intractable diarrhea, lactose intolerance, short bowel syndrome, cystic fibrosis, cow's milk protein enteropathy or sensitivity, pre or post surgery, AIDS, malabsorption syndrome, gastroenteritis, GI fistula, and pancreatic disorder.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Providing proper nutrition to adolescents is important in growth and development. Nutrition is especially important to adolescents who are undergoing certain conditions or disease, and who are unable to consume food orally and must be fed enterally. Physicians have had to use baby formulas or modify existing adult enteral formulas to meet the needs of their adolescent patients. They have added fats and carbohydrates to increase the calories, lowered the protein content or reduced the water used in preparing powdered or concentrated varieties. These modifications do not provide for a well-balanced formula as the sodium and vitamins and minerals are not appropriate. Some physicians have added iron, vitamins and calcium, but again an appropriately balanced formula was not achieved. Thus, a strong need exists for improved enteral or oral formulas designed for the nutritional needs of adolescents.

Enteral food compositions containing essential amino acids, minerals and carbohydrates are described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,697,287. U.S. Pat. No. 4,368,204 describes elemental nutritional compositions for pediatrics having a specific amino acid profile. However, the compositions of the prior art are not optimal for providing nutrition to human adolescents. These compositions are typically too high in osmolality and relatively low in amount of essential amino acids and other components required for growth.

The present invention overcomes deficiencies of the prior art compositions by providing an improved nutritional composition for adolescents which has an optimal amino acid, carbohydrate and lipid content, as well as a balanced mineral, vitamin and electrolyte content.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This invention provides compositions and a method of providing nutrition to human adolescents. The compositions of the invention comprise

a) a carbohydrate component which comprises from 50 to 65% of the total caloric content of said composition;

b) a lipid component which comprises from 20 to 35% of the total caloric content of said composition; and

c) an amino acid component which comprises from 10 to 20% of the total caloric content of said composition and which comprises 2.3 to 2.8% L-histidine, 6.1 to 7.4% L-isoleucine, 8.5 to 10.2% L-leucine, 7.0 to 8.4% L-valine, 6.6 to 8.0% L-lysine, 3.1 to 3.8% L-methionine, 5.5 to 6.6% L-phenylalanine, 4.8 to 5.8% L-threonine, 1.7 to 2.1% L-tryptophan, 5.7 to 6.9% L-alanine, 6.2 to 7.5% L-arginine, 5.9 to 7.1% L-aspartic acid, 2.3 to 2.8% L-cystine, 12.9 to 15.5% L-glutamine, 3.8 to 4.6% L-glutamic acid, 3.2 to 3.9% glycine, 5.0 to 6.0% L-proline, 5.4 to 6.5% L-serine, and 4.0 to 4.8% L-tyrosine, all based on total weight of said amino acid component.

The carbohydrate component of the composition of this invention comprises 50-65% of the total caloric content of the composition, more preferably from 60 to 65% of the total caloric content; most preferably about 63% of the total caloric content. Any carbohydrate conventionally used in nutritional compositions are useful in the composition of this invention, but preferably the carbohydrate component consist essentially of maltodextrin, modified starch or mixtures thereof. The carbohydrate component provides optional absorption of the carbohydrate by the gastro-intestinal tract of adolescent, particularly for those with malabsorption disorders. The carbohydrate component more preferably consist essentially of about 72-99% by weight maltodextrin and about 1-28% by weight modified starch. The carbohydrate component is preferably free of lactose (which may be a problem in adolescents with lactose intolerance) and preferably contains no sucrose or fructose.

The lipid component for the compositions of this invention comprises from 20 to 35% of the total caloric content of the composition, more preferably 20 to 30%, most preferably about 25%. Adequate lipid intake is important as a source of energy, essential fatty acids and carrier of fat soluble vitamins. Suitable lipids for use in the present invention include, any of the conventional saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, glycerides and other nutritionally acceptable fat sources known in the art, such as animal oils, fish oils, vegetable oils and synthetic lipids. Preferably the lipid component consists essentially of soybean oil, medium chain triglycerides, or mixtures thereof. More preferably, the lipid component consists of about 30% by weight soybean oil and about 70% by weight medium chain, triglycerides, based on total weight of said lipid component. Medium chain triglycerides have been shown to be well-utilized in clinical conditions where standard long chain dietary fats are malabsorbed. In addition, medium chain triglycerides contain fatty acid chains composed of six to ten linear carbon units. These triglycerides do not require emulsification with bile, are more rapidly and more easily hydrolyzed than long chain fats and the fatty acids are directly absorbed into the portal system. Soybean oil is preferred as an excellent source of linoleic and linolenic acids. The composition of the invention comprises about 4.3% of its total energy content as linoleic acid and about 0.6% linolenic acid giving a total of about 4.9% as essential fatty acids.

The lipid component is preferably added or included in the compositions of the invention in the form of dry granules encapsulated by carbohydrate. The encapsulated lipid can be prepared by adding the lipid to an aqueous carbohydrate slurry, homogenizing it, and spray drying it to form the dry granules. The encapsulated lipid provides improved emulsion stability to the compositions of the invention.

The amino acid component of the compositions of this invention comprises from 10 to 20% of the total caloric content of the composition, more preferably 10 to 15%, most preferably about 12%. The amino acid component comprises 2.3 to 2.8% L-histidine, 6.1 to 7.4% L-isoleucine, 8.5 to 10.2% L-leucine, 7.0 to 8.4% L-valine, 6.6 to 8.0% L-lysine, 3.1 to 3.8% L-methionine, 5.5 to 6.6% L-phenylalanine, 4.8 to 5.8% L-threonine, 1.7 to 2.1% L-tryptophan, 5.7 to 6.9% L-alanine, 6.2 to 7.5% L-arginine, 5.9 to 7.1% L-aspartic acid, 2.3 to 2.8% L-cystine, 12.9 to 15.5% L-glutamine, 3.8 to 4.6% L-glutamic acid, 3.2 to 3.9% glycine, 5.0 to 6.0% L-proline, 5.4 to 6.5% L-serine, and 4.0 to 4.8% L-tyrosine, all based on total weight of said amino acid component. More preferably the amino acid component comprises 2.4 to 2.6% L-histidine, 6.6 to 6.8% L-isoleucine, 9.2 to 9.5% L-leucine, 7.6 to 7.8% L-valine, 7.1 to 7.4% L-lysine, 3.3 to 3.5% L-methionine, 6.0 to 6.2% L-phenylalanine, 5.2 to 5.4% L-threonine, 1.8 to 2.0% L-tryptophan, 6.2 to 6.4% L-alanine, 6.7 to 6.9% L-arginine, 6.4 to 6.6% L-aspartic acid, 2.4 to 2.6% L-cystine, 14.0 to 14.5% L-glutamine, 4.1 to 4.3 L-glutamic acid, 3.4 to 3.6% glycine, 5.4 to 4.6% L-proline, 5.8 to 6.1% L-serine, and 4.3 to 4.5% L-tyrosine. Most preferably the amino acid component comprises about 2.5% L-histidine, 6.7% L-isoleucine, 9.4% -leucine, 7.7% L-valine, 7.3% L-lysine, 3.4% L-methionine, 6.1% L-phenylalanine, 5.3% L-threonine, 1.9% L-tryptophan, 6.3% L-alanine, 6.8% L-arginine, 6.5% L-aspartic acid, 2.5% L-cystine, 14.2% L-glutamine, 4.2% L-glutamic acid, 3.5% glycine, 5.5% L-proline, 5.9% L-serine, and 4.4% L-tyrosine.

The compositions of this invention preferably contain 100% free amino acids specially designed to provide a balance of amino acids for adolescents. This balance of amino acids is hypoallergenic in comparison to intact protein used in other formulas. Free amino acids may have a unique benefit in the dietary management of adolescents sensitive to intact protein and for feeding adolescents with severe and persistent diarrhea. The amino acid profile of the present compositions meets or exceeds the standard for high quality proteins established by the National Academy of Science-National Research Council. The preferred non-protein calorie to nitrogen ratio to 200:1 and total calorie to nitrogen ratio of 227:1 will meet the needs of adolescent patients. In general, protein requirements are increased during stress due to increased losses and greater needs for anabolism and tissue repair. Studies have shown the enteral fortification employing sufficient quantities of protein can accelerate the synthesis of visceral protein and promote positive nitrogen balance and host defense factors. However, excessive levels of protein are contra-indicated because of the resulting increase in renal solute load.

The amino acid component preferably comprises 11.2 to 11.5% by weight aromatic amino acid (such as phenlalanine and tyrosine) and 5.4 t 6.5% by weight sulfur-containing amino acids (such as methionine and cystine), based on total weight of the amino acid component. These are believed to be among the most important amino acids for growth in adolescents.

The compositions of the invention preferably contain L-carnitine and taurine. Adequate levels of L-carnitine are essential for lipid metabolism. The compositions preferably contain from about 0.01 to about 0.02% by weight based on total dry weight of the composition L-carnitine. Taurine is important for normal retinal development and in the synthesis of bile salts. Taurine also aids in improved fat absorption, growth and weight gain. The preferred compositions contain about 0.04 to 0.05% by weight taurine based on total dry weight of the composition.

The compositions of the invention can be in the form of a solid powder, this powder is subsequently dissolved or dispersed in juices, water or other aqueous based, non-protein medium. The solid powder form preferably has a caloric content from about 4-5, calories per gram of the composition. The compositions can also be in the form of a ready-to-use aqueous liquid which preferably has a caloric content of about 0.8 calorie per milliliter. The aqueous compositions of the invention preferably have an osmolality of about 300 to 400 mOsm per kilogram of water; more preferably about 350 to 370 mOsm/kg; most preferably about 360 mOsm/kg. Likewise, 0.22 grams of the dry powder composition in 1 gram of water has an osmolality of 300 to 400 mOsm.

Preferred compositions of the invention have the following formulation, based on total dry weight of the composition:

    ______________________________________                                         Ingredient        % by weight                                                  ______________________________________                                         Maltodextrin      42.5960 to 52.0618                                           Modified starch   16.3556 to 19.9901                                           Medium chain triglycerides                                                                       7.5770 to 9.2608                                             Soybean oil       3.2834 to 4.0130                                             Calcium glycerophosphate                                                                         2.8007 to 3.4231                                             Magnesium gluconate                                                                              1.8886 to 2.3083                                             L-glutamine       1.4374 to 1.7568                                             L-lysine acetate  1.0375 to 1.2681                                             L-leucine         0.9471 to 1.1576                                             L-arginine acetate                                                                               0.9289 to 1.1354                                             Potassium Chloride                                                                               0.7879 to 0.9630                                             L-valine          0.7800 to 0.9533                                             Citric acid       0.7428 to 0.9079                                             L-isoleucine      0.6797 to 0.8307                                             L-aspartic acid   0.6574 to 0.8035                                             L-alanine         0.6351 to 0.7763                                             L-phenylalanine   0.6128 to 0.7490                                             L-serine          0.6017 to 0.7354                                             Polyglycerol ester                                                                               0.5669 to 0.6929                                             L-proline         0.5571 to 0.6809                                             L-threonine       0.5348 to 0.6537                                             L-tyrosine        0.4457 to 0.5448                                             L-glutamic acid   0.4234 to 0.5175                                             Potassium citrate 0.3580 to 0.4376                                             Glycine           0.3566 to 0.4358                                             L-histadine hydrochloride                                                                        0.3463 to 0.4233                                             L-methionine      0.3454 to 0.4222                                             Sodium citrate    0.2764 to 0.3378                                             L-cystine         0.2563 to 0.3132                                             Choline bitartrate                                                                               0.2386 to 0.2916                                             L-tryptophan      0.1894 to 0.2315                                             Sodium Phosphate dibasic                                                                         0.1818 to 0.2223                                             Potassium sorbate 0.1746 to 0.2134                                             Ascorbic acid     0.0938 to 0.1146                                             Alpha tocopheryl acetate                                                                         0.0836 to 0.1021                                             Beta carotene     0.0487 to 0.0595                                             Taurine           0.0415 to 0.0507                                             M-inositol        0.0338 to 0.0413                                             Zinc sulfate      0.0178 to 0.0218                                             Ferrous sulfate   0.0165 to 0.0201                                             Niacinamide       0.0133 to 0.0162                                             L-carnitine       0.0130 to 0.0158                                             Biotin            0.0065 to 0.0079                                             Copper gluconate  0.0047 to 0.0057                                             Calcium pantothenate                                                                             0.0037 to 0.0046                                             Vitamin A palmitate                                                                              0.0037 to 0.0045                                             Manganese sulfate 0.0033 to 0.0041                                             Vitamin D.sub.3   0.0032 to 0.0040                                             Vitamin K.sub.1   0.0025 to 0.0031                                             Cyanocobalamin    0.0020 to 0.0025                                             Potassium Iodide  0.0018 to 0.0021                                             Pyridoxine hydrochloride                                                                         0.0016 to 0.0020                                             Folic acid        0.0013 to 0.0016                                             Riboflavin        0.0012 to 0.0015                                             Thiamine hydrochloride                                                                           0.0010 to 0.0013                                             Chromic acetate monohydrate                                                                      0.00010 to 0.00011                                           Sodium molybdate  0.00010 to 0.00011                                           Sodium selenite anhydrous                                                                        0.000040 to 0.000044                                         Total             100                                                          ______________________________________                                    

The most preferred composition comprises, based on total dry weight of the compositions:

    ______________________________________                                         Maltodextrin        47.3289                                                    Modified starch     18.1728                                                    Medium chain triglycerides                                                                         8.4189                                                     Soybean oil         3.6482                                                     Calcium glycerophosphate                                                                           3.1119                                                     Magnesium gluconate 2.0985                                                     L-glutamine         1.5971                                                     L-lysine acetate    1.1528                                                     L-leucine           1.0524                                                     L-arginine acetate  1.0321                                                     Potassium Chloride  0.8755                                                     L-valine            0.8667                                                     Citric acid         0.8254                                                     L-isoleucine        0.7552                                                     L-aspartic acid     0.7305                                                     L-alanine           0.7057                                                     L-phenylalanine     0.6809                                                     L-serine            0.6686                                                     Polyglycerol ester  0.6299                                                     L-proline           0.6190                                                     L-threonine         0.5943                                                     L-tyrosine          0.4952                                                     L-glutamic acid     0.4705                                                     Potassium citrate   0.3978                                                     Glycine             0.3962                                                     L-histidine hydrochloride                                                                          0.3848                                                     L-methionine        0.3838                                                     Sodium citrate      0.3071                                                     L-cystine           0.2848                                                     Choline bitartrate  0.2651                                                     L-tryptophan        0.2105                                                     Sodium Phosphate dibasic                                                                           0.2021                                                     Potassium sorbate   0.1940                                                     Ascorbic acid       0.1042                                                     Alpha tocopheryl acetate                                                                           0.0929                                                     Beta carotene       0.0541                                                     Taurine             0.0461                                                     M-inositol          0.0375                                                     Zinc sulfate        0.0198                                                     Ferrous sulfate     0.0183                                                     Niacinamide         0.0147                                                     t-carnitine         0.0144                                                     Biotin              0.0072                                                     Copper gluconate    0.0052                                                     Calcium pantothenate                                                                               0.0042                                                     Vitamin A palmitate 0.0041                                                     Manganese sulfate   0.0037                                                     Vitamin D.sub.3     0.0036                                                     Vitamin K.sub.1     0.0028                                                     Cyanocobalamin      0.0023                                                     Potassium Iodide    0.0019                                                     Pyridoxine hydrochloride                                                                           0.0018                                                     Folic acid          0.0014                                                     Riboflavin          0.0013                                                     Thiamine hydrochloride                                                                             0.0012                                                     Chromic acetate monohydrate                                                                        0.0001                                                     Sodium molybdate    0.0001                                                     Sodium selenite anhydrous                                                                          0.00004                                                    Total               100                                                        ______________________________________                                    

The enteral nutritional compositions of this invention may be administered via a nasogastric, nasointestinal, esophagostomy, gastrostomy, or jejunostomy feeding tube. Because of its homogeneity and low viscosity, small bore feeding tubes (16 gauge catheter or #5 French tube) may be used to optimize patient tolerance. The diet should be given at room temperature by continuous drip technique, or using a suitable infusion pump. At the 0.8 calorie per ml dilution, the composition supplies most of the daily fluid requirement. Additional fluids should be given when necessary to maintain hydration and adequate urine output.

The compositions can also be administered orally, such as a flavored drink served chilled over ice. The compositions of the invention are useful for administering complete nutrition or nutritional supplement to adolescents preferably ages 1 to 18 years, more preferably ages 1 to 10 years, most preferably ages 1 to 6 years. The compositions provide at least 800 calories per day. The compositions are particularly useful for administering to an adolescent for diseases or conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, intractable diarrhea, lactose intolerance, short bowel syndrome, cystic fibrosis, cow's milk protein enteropathy or sensitivity, pre or post surgery, trauma, AIDS, malabsorption syndrome, gastroenteritis, GI fistula, and pancreatic disorder.

The following examples are presented to help demonstrate this invention. The examples are intended to be illustrative and not limitative.

EXAMPLE 1

A dietary composition (sample #8773) having an amino acid profile within the scope of the present invention was compared to a dietary composition containing casein as the standard protein source. These compositions had the following formulations:

    ______________________________________                                                     Amount (wt. %)                                                     Ingredients   Sample #8773                                                                              Casein Composition                                    ______________________________________                                         Casein        --         11.14                                                 Amino Acid Mix*                                                                              11.70      --                                                    Cottonseed Oil                                                                               8.00       7.96                                                  Vitamin Mix   1.00       1.00                                                  Salt Mixture  5.00       4.81                                                  Non-nutritive fiber                                                                          1.00       1.00                                                  Corn starch   34.15      34.15                                                 Sucrose       34.15      35.59                                                 Water         5.00       4.35                                                  ______________________________________                                         *Amino acid mix comprises:                                                     Ingredient        % by weight                                                  ______________________________________                                         L-glutamine       12.2                                                         L-leucine         8.0                                                          L-arginine acetate                                                                               7.9                                                          L-lysine acetate  8.8                                                          L-isoleucine      5.8                                                          L-valine          6.6                                                          L-phenylalanine   5.2                                                          L-methionine      2.9                                                          L-threonine       4.5                                                          L-tyrosine        3.8                                                          L-histidine hydrochloride                                                                        2.9                                                          L-aspartic acid   5.6                                                          L-proline         4.7                                                          L-tryptophan      1.6                                                          L-serine          5.1                                                          L-alanine         5.4                                                          glycine           3.0                                                          L-glutamic acid   3.6                                                          L-cystine         2.2                                                          ______________________________________                                    

The compositions were compared for Protein Efficiency Ratio (PER) which is a measure of protein quality using laboratory rats. PER is determined by dividing the animal's weight gain by protein intake. Two groups of ten rats each were fed a diet, for 28 days, of Sample #8773 and the casein composition, respectively. Every seven days the rats were weighed and their food consumption was recorded. At the end of 28 days, the total weight gain and protein consumption of the two groups were calculated. These values were used to calculate the PER.

The results for the casein composition are presented in Table 1 and in Table 2 for Sample #8773 of the invention.

                  TABLE 1                                                          ______________________________________                                         (Casein Composition)                                                           ______________________________________                                         BODY WEIGHTS - GMS                                                             ANIMAL  WEEKS                   WT.                                            NUMBER  0       1       2     3     4     GAIN                                 ______________________________________                                         1       65      82      106   129   162   97                                   2       64      84      106   129   156   92                                   3       61      81      104   129   164   103                                  4       62      78      99    119   155   93                                   5       65      89      119   144   183   118                                  6       61      80      111   139   167   106                                  7       62      80      102   129   158   96                                   8       63      87      113   135   173   110                                  9       66      87      115   142   179   113                                  10      64      91      124   152   189   125                                  MEAN    63      84      110   135   169   105                                  SD      1.77    4.38    7.92  9.63  11.90 11.16                                ______________________________________                                         FEED CONSUMPTION - GMS                                                         ANIMAL WEEKS                      PRO-                                         NUMBER 1      2       3     4     TOTAL TEIN  PER*                             ______________________________________                                         1      69     97      96    98    360   36.0  2.69                             2      75     88      96    95    354   35.4  2.60                             3      69     86      89    103   347   34.7  2.97                             4      72     81      87    114   354   35.4  2.63                             5      81     101     109   121   412   41.2  2.86                             6      73     96      109   106   384   38.4  2.76                             7      74     84      101   112   371   37.1  2.59                             8      80     89      94    116   379   37.9  2.90                             9      78     98      102   120   398   39.8  2.84                             10     85     107     113   129   434   43.4  2.88                             MEAN   76     93      100   111   379   37.9  2.77                             SD     5.30   8.33    8.77  10.81 28.28 2.83  .138                             ______________________________________                                          *PER = Protein Efficiency Ratio                                          

                  TABLE 2                                                          ______________________________________                                         (SAMPLE #8773)                                                                 ______________________________________                                         BODY WEIGHTS - GMS                                                             ANIMAL  WEEKS                   WT.                                            NUMBER  0       1       2     3     4     GAIN                                 ______________________________________                                         1       64      105     163   216   272   208                                  2       65      93      138   182   225   160                                  3       63      91      133   179   231   168                                  4       62      94      150   198   250   188                                  5       60      86      128   164   202   142                                  6       62      86      130   175   218   156                                  7       61      87      129   177   222   161                                  8       62      86      129   172   211   149                                  9       60      89      139   190   241   181                                  10      61      85      125   171   214   153                                  MEAN    62      90      136   182   229   167                                  SD      1.63    6.09    11.85 15.28 20.82 20.19                                ______________________________________                                         FEED CONSUMPTION - GMS                                                         ANIMAL WEEKS                      PRO-                                         NUMBER 1      2       3     4     TOTAL TEIN  PER*                             ______________________________________                                         1      94     133     148   153   528   52.8  3.94                             2      82     120     138   141   481   48.1  3.33                             3      74     113     136   145   468   46.8  3.59                             4      82     133     139   146   500   50.0  3.76                             5      70     110     119   119   418   41.8  3.40                             6      77     114     134   136   461   46.1  3.38                             7      80     107     130   132   449   44.9  3.59                             8      79     110     124   125   438   43.8  3.40                             9      89     132     153   150`  524   52.4  3.45                             10     74     105     126   128   433   43.3  3.53                             MEAN   80     118     135   138   470   47.0  3.54                             SD     7.20   11.10   10.55 11.35 37.89 3.79  .191                             ______________________________________                                    

The results show that compositions having the amino acid profile of this invention have a significantly greater protein efficiency ratio than the conventional casein protein.

EXAMPLE 2

A dietary composition within the scope of this invention, (Sample A) was prepared and compared to a dietary composition described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,368,204 (Sample B).

Sample A of this invention had the following composition:

    ______________________________________                                         Ingredient         % by weight                                                 ______________________________________                                         Maltodextrin       47.3289                                                     Modified starch    18.1728                                                     Medium chain triglycerides (MCT)                                                                  8.4189                                                      Soybean oil        3.6482                                                      Calcium glycerophosphate                                                                          3.1119                                                      Magnesium gluconate                                                                               2.0985                                                      L-glutamine        1.5971                                                      L-lysine acetate   1.1528                                                      L-leucine          1.0524                                                      L-arginine acetate 1.0321                                                      Potassium Chloride 0.8755                                                      L-valine           0.8667                                                      Citric acid        0.8254                                                      L-isoleucine       0.7552                                                      L-aspartic acid    0.7305                                                      L-alanine          0.7057                                                      L-phenylalanine    0.6809                                                      L-serine           0.6686                                                      Polyglycerol ester 0.6299                                                      L-proline          0.6190                                                      L-threonine        0.5943                                                      L-tyrosine         0.4952                                                      L-glutamic acid    0.4705                                                      Potassium citrate  0.3978                                                      Glycine            0.3962                                                      L-histidine hydrochloride                                                                         0.3848                                                      L-methionine       0.3838                                                      Sodium citrate     0.3071                                                      L-cystine          0.2848                                                      Choline bitartrate 0.2651                                                      L-tryptophan       0.2105                                                      Sodium Phosphate dibasic                                                                          0.2021                                                      Potassium sorbate  0.1940                                                      Ascorbic acid      0.1042                                                      Alpha tocopheryl acetate                                                                          0.0929                                                      Beta carotene      0.0541                                                      Taurine            0.0461                                                      M-inositol         0.0375                                                      Zinc sulfate       0.0198                                                      Ferrous sulfate    0.0183                                                      Niacinamide        0.0147                                                      L-carnitine        0.0144                                                      Biotin             0.0072                                                      Copper gluconate   0.0052                                                      Calcium pantothenate                                                                              0.0042                                                      Vitamin A palmitate                                                                               0.0041                                                      Manganese sulfate  0.0037                                                      Vitamin D.sub.3    0.0036                                                      Vitamin K.sub.1    0.0028                                                      Cyanocobalamin     0.0023                                                      Potassium Iodide   0.0019                                                      Pyridoxine hydrochloride                                                                          0.0018                                                      Folic acid         0.0014                                                      Riboflavin         0.0013                                                      Thiamine hydrochloride                                                                            0.0012                                                      Chromic acetate monohydrate                                                                       0.0001                                                      Sodium molybdate   0.0001                                                      Sodium selenite anhydrous                                                                         0.00004                                                     Total              100                                                         ______________________________________                                    

The caloric content of Sample A was 12% amino acid 25% lipid and 63% carbohydrate.

Comparative Sample B had the following composition:

    ______________________________________                                         Ingredient           % by wt.                                                  ______________________________________                                         Dextrin              82.40478                                                  soybean oil          3.14522                                                   L-leucine            1.31575                                                   L-proline            1.27906                                                   L-alanine            1.25809                                                   L-lysine monohydrochloride                                                                          1.24367                                                   L-serine             1.15718                                                   L-glutamic acid      0.97895                                                   L-arginine           0.90818                                                   N-acetyl-L-tyrosine  0.70505                                                   L-valine             0.70374                                                   L-isoleucine         0.68015                                                   L-threonine          0.65001                                                   L-histidine hydrochloride                                                                           0.49799                                                   L-cystine hydrochloride monohydrate                                                                 0.41019                                                   L-phenylalanine      0.40626                                                   di-L-aspartic acid monomagnesium                                                                    0.35842                                                   L-aspartic acid monopotassium                                                                       0.35842                                                   glycine              0.29749                                                   Zinc sulfate heptahydrate                                                                           0.28137                                                   L-tryptophan         0.24375                                                   L-methionine         0.20837                                                   potassium sorbate    0.15726                                                   polysorbate 80       0.15412                                                   ferrous gluconate    0.05762                                                   choline bitatrate    0.03916                                                   ascorbic acid        0.03748                                                   soy lecithin         0.02202                                                   vitamin K            0.01922                                                   cupric sulfate pentahydrate                                                                         0.00180                                                   tocopherol acetate   0.00722                                                   Niacinamide          0.00481                                                   Manganese sulfate pentahydrate                                                                      0.00285                                                   Calcium pantothenate 0.00260                                                   pyridoxine hydrochloride                                                                            0.00058                                                   retinol acetate      0.00049                                                   thiamine hydrochloride                                                                              0.00042                                                   folic acid           0.00010                                                   biotin               0.00009                                                   riboflavine sodium phosphate                                                                        0.00006                                                   ergocalciferol, D.sub.2                                                                             0.00001                                                   cyanocobalamin       0.000001                                                  Total                100                                                       ______________________________________                                    

The caloric content of Sample B was approximately 13% protein, 8% lipid and 79% carbohydrate.

Approximately 60-80 grams of Sample A and B, respectively, were dissolved in warm water to give 300 ml of solution. These solutions were prepared and visually evaluated by five individuals for instancy and solubility using a 5-point scale with 1=poor and 5=excellent. Instancy is defined as the amount of time with which the composition goes into solution and solubility is defined as quantity of insoluble particulates floating on the surface after the majority of the composition has gone into solution. The compositions were also visually evaluated for foaming, on the surface of the solution. The results of these evaluations are presented in Table 3.

                  TABLE 3                                                          ______________________________________                                                     Sample A                                                                              Sample B                                                                (average rating)                                                   ______________________________________                                         Instancy      3.2      1.4                                                     Solubility    2.6      1.8                                                     Foaming       none     4 millimeters                                           ______________________________________                                    

Comparative Sample B exhibited lumps of product floating on the surface after mixing and there were no lumps of product floating on the surface for Sample A of the invention. Comparative Sample B had a white particulate layer form on the bottom of the solution after sitting approximately 5 minutes whereas Sample A had no such sediment.

EXAMPLE 3

The composition of this invention, (Sample A) and the comparative composition (Sample B) prepared in Example 2 were rated for protein quality according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations/World Health Organization, joint FAO/WHO Expert Consultation on Protein Quality Evaluation (1989), which is herein incorporated by reference. The compositions were given a score in comparison to egg having a score of 100 as the reference protein. The results of this scoring are presented in Table 4.

                  TABLE 4                                                          ______________________________________                                                       Sample A   Sample B                                                         Reference                                                                               Amino          Amino                                                  Protein  Acid    % of   Acid  % of                                             (Egg)    value   Reference                                                                             value Ref.                                  Amino acid (mg/g)   (mg/g)  Protein                                                                               (mg/g)                                                                               Protein                               ______________________________________                                         L-Histidine                                                                               22       23      105    24.3  110                                   L-Isoleucine                                                                              54       61      113    45    83                                    L-Leucine  86       85       99    87    101                                   L-Lysine   70       66       94    65.8  94                                    L-Methionine + L-                                                                         57       54       95    32.5  57                                    cystine                                                                        L-Phenylalanine +                                                                         93       95      102    64.8  70                                    L-tyrosine                                                                     L-Threonine                                                                               47       48      102    43    91                                    L-Tryptophan                                                                              17       17      100    16.2  95                                    L-Valine   66       70      106    46.5  70                                    Chemical Score                                                                            100               94          57                                    ______________________________________                                    

This scoring shows that the amino acid component of the composition of the present invention is of higher quality than that of the comparative prior art composition. The scoring means that there is a limiting amino acid in the composition of this invention which is 94% of the egg reference protein, whereas the limiting amino acid of the comparative composition is only 57% of the egg reference protein. 

We claim:
 1. A method of providing nutrition to a human adolescent which comprises orally or enterally administering to said adolescent a dietary composition which comprises:a) a carbohydrate component selected from the group consisting of maltodextrin, modified starch, and mixtures thereof, which comprises from 50 to 65% of the total caloric content of said composition; b) a lipid component selected from the group consisting of soybean oil, medium chain triglycerides, and mixtures thereof, which comprises 20 to 35% of the total caloric content of said composition; and c) an amino acid component which comprises from 10 to 20% of the total caloric content of said composition and which comprises 2.3 to 2.8% L-histidine, 6.1 to 7.4% L-isoleucine, 8.5 to 10.2% L-leucine, 7.0 to 8.4% L-valine, 6.6 to 8.0% L-lysine, 3.1 to 3.8% L-methionine, 5.5 to 6.6% L-phenylalanine, 4.8 to 5.8% L-threonine, 1.7 to 2.1% L-tryptophan, 5.7 to 6.9% L-alanine, 6.2 to 7.5% L-arginine, 5.9 to 7.1% L-aspartic acid, 2.3 to 2.8% L-cystine, 12.9 to 15.5% L-glutamine, 3.8 to 4.6% L-glutamic acid, 3.2 to 3.9% glycine, 5.0 to 6.0% L-proline, 5.4 to 6.5% L-serine, and 4.0 to 4.8% L-tyrosine, all abased on total weight of said amino acid component.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein said carbohydrate component comprises about 63%, said lipid component comprises about 25% and said amino acid component comprises about 12% based on total caloric content of said composition.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein said amino acid component comprises about 2.5% L-histidine, 6.7% L-isoleucine, 9.4 L-leucine, 7.7% L-valine, 7.3% L-lysine, 3.4% L-methionine, 6.1% L-phenylalanine, 5.3% L-threonine, 1.9% L-tryptophan, 6.3% L-alanine, 6.8% L-arginine, 6.5% L-aspartic acid, 2.5% L-cystine, 14.2% L-glutamine, 4.2% L-glutamic acid, 3.5% glycine, 5.5% L-proline, 5.9% L-serine and 4.4 L-tyrosine based on total weight of said amino acid component.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein said lipid component consists of about 30% by weight soybean oil and about 70% by weight medium chain, triglycerides based on total weight of said lipid component.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein said composition is dissolved or dispersed in a non-protein aqueous-based medium.
 6. The method of claim 5 wherein said composition has a caloric density of about 0.8 calories/ml.
 7. The method of claim 5 wherein said composition has an osmolality of 300 to 400 mOsm/kg water.
 8. The method of claim 1 wherein said adolescent is age 1 to 18 years.
 9. The method of claim 1 wherein said adolescent is age 1 to 10 years.
 10. The method of claim 1 wherein said composition is administered orally.
 11. The method of claim 1 wherein said composition is administered enterally.
 12. The method of claim 1 wherein said composition provides at least 800 calories per day.
 13. The method of claim 1 wherein said composition comprises based on total dry weight of said composition:

    ______________________________________                                         Ingredient       % by weight                                                   ______________________________________                                         Maltodextrin     42.5960   to    52.0618                                       Modified starch  16.3556   to    19.9901                                       Med. chain triglycerides                                                                        7.5770    to    9.2608                                        Soybean oil      3.2834    to    4.0130                                        Calcium glycero- 2.8007    to    3.4231                                        phosphate                                                                      Magnesium gluconate                                                                             1.8886    to    2.3083                                        L-glutamine      1.4374    to    1.7568                                        L-lysine acetate 1.0375    to    1.2681                                        L-leucine        0.9471    to    1.1576                                        L-arginine acetate                                                                              0.9289    to    1.1354                                        Potassium chloride                                                                              0.7879    to    0.9630                                        L-valine         0.7800    to    0.9533                                        Citric acid      0.7428    to    0.9079                                        L-isoleucine     0.6797    to    0.8307                                        L-aspartic acid  0.6574    to    0.8035                                        L-alanine        0.6351    to    0.7763                                        L-phenylalanine  0.6128    to    0.7490                                        L-serine         0.6017    to    0.7354                                        Polyglycerol ester                                                                              0.5669    to    0.6929                                        L-proline        0.5571    to    0.6809                                        L-threonine      0.5348    to    0.6537                                        L-tyrosine       0.4457    to    0.5448                                        L-glutamic acid  0.4234    to    0.5175                                        Potassium citrate                                                                               0.3580    to    0.4376                                        Glycine          0.3566    to    0.4358                                        L-histidine hydro-                                                                              0.3463    to    0.4233                                        chloride                                                                       L-methionine     0.3454    to    0.4222                                        Sodium citrate   0.2764    to    0.3378                                        L-cystine        0.2563    to    0.3132                                        Choline bitartrate                                                                              0.2386    to    0.2916                                        L-tryptophan     0.1894    to    0.2315                                        Sodium Phosphate 0.1818    to    0.2223                                        dibasic                                                                        Potassium sorbate                                                                               0.1746    to    0.2134                                        Ascorbic acid    0.0938    to    0.1146                                        Alpha tocopheryl 0.0836    to    0.1021                                        acetate                                                                        Beta carotene    0.0487    to    0.0595                                        Taurine          0.0415    to    0.0507                                        M-inositol       0.0338    to    0.0413                                        Zinc sulfate     0.0178    to    0.0218                                        Ferrous sulfate  0.0165    to    0.0201                                        Niacinamide      0.0133    to    0.0162                                        L-carnitine      0.0130    to    0.0158                                        Biotin           0.0065    to    0.0079                                        Copper gluconate 0.0047    to    0.0057                                        Calcium pantothenate                                                                            0.0037    to    0.0046                                        Vitamin A palmitate                                                                             0.0037    to    0.0045                                        Manganese sulfate                                                                               0.0033    to    0.0041                                        Vitamin D.sub.3  0.0032    to    0.0040                                        Vitamin K.sub.1  0.0025    to    0.0031                                        Cyanocobalamin   0.0020    to    0.0025                                        Potassium Iodide 0.0018    to    0.0021                                        Pyridoxine hydro-                                                                               0.0016    to    0.0020                                        chloride                                                                       Folic acid       0.0013    to    0.0016                                        Riboflavin       0.0012    to    0.0015                                        Thiamine hydro-  0.0010    to    0.0013                                        chloride                                                                       Chromic acetate   0.00010  to     0.00011                                      monohydrate                                                                    Sodium molybdate  0.00010  to     0.00011                                      Sodium selenite   0.000040 to     0.000044                                     anhydrous                                                                      Total            100                                                           ______________________________________                                    


14. The method of claim 1 wherein said composition comprises based on total dry weight of said composition:

    ______________________________________                                         Ingredient        % by weight                                                  ______________________________________                                         Maltodextrin      47.3289                                                      Modified starch   18.1728                                                      Medium chain triglycerides                                                                       8.4189                                                       Soybean oil       3.6482                                                       Calcium glycero-  3.1119                                                       phosphate                                                                      Magnesium gluconate                                                                              2.0985                                                       L-glutamine       1.5971                                                       L-lysine acetate  1.1528                                                       L-leucine         1.0524                                                       L-arginine acetate                                                                               1.0321                                                       Potassium Chloride                                                                               0.8755                                                       L-valine          0.8667                                                       Citric acid       0.8254                                                       L-isoleucine      0.7552                                                       L-aspartic acid   0.7305                                                       L-alanine         0.7057                                                       L-phenylalanine   0.6809                                                       L-serine          0.6686                                                       Polyglycerol ester                                                                               0.6299                                                       L-proline         0.6190                                                       L-threonine       0.5943                                                       L-tyrosine        0.4952                                                       L-glutamic acid   0.4705                                                       Potassium citrate 0.3978                                                       Glycine           0.3962                                                       L-histidine hydro-                                                                               0.3848                                                       chloride                                                                       L-methionine      0.3838                                                       Sodium citrate    0.3071                                                       L-cystine         0.2848                                                       Choline bitartrate                                                                               0.2651                                                       L-tryptophan      0.2105                                                       Sodium Phosphate  0.2021                                                       dibasic                                                                        Potassium sorbate 0.1940                                                       Ascorbic acid     0.1042                                                       Alpha tocopheryl  0.0929                                                       acetate                                                                        Beta carotene     0.0541                                                       Taurine           0.0461                                                       M-inositol        0.0375                                                       Zinc sulfate      0.0198                                                       Ferrous sulfate   0.0183                                                       Niacinamide       0.0147                                                       L-carnitine       0.0144                                                       Biotin            0.0072                                                       Copper gluconate  0.0052                                                       Calcium pantothenate                                                                             0.0042                                                       Vitamin A palmitate                                                                              0.0041                                                       Manganese sulfate 0.0037                                                       Vitamin D.sub.3   0.0036                                                       Vitamin K.sub.1   0.0028                                                       Cyanocobalamin    0.0023                                                       Potassium Iodide  0.0019                                                       Pyridoxine hydro- 0.0018                                                       chloride                                                                       Folic acid        0.0014                                                       Riboflavin        0.0013                                                       Thiamine hydro-   0.0012                                                       chloride                                                                       Chromic acetate   0.0001                                                       monohydrate                                                                    Sodium molybdate  0.0001                                                       Sodium selenite    0.00004                                                     anhydrous                                                                      Total             100                                                          ______________________________________                                     